Discover the Wild Side of Africa with Thomas Cook!

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No matter how often we have seen the big cats on popular wildlife channels, experiencing the real thrill of standing a few feet away from them is quite another thing. It could be the piercing eyes of a lion, the lush, spotted fur of the leopard or the leashed power of the slinky cheetah. And those are just the big cats! What about the majesty of an African elephant? Or the thrill and sadness of spotting a lone rhino? Nature evokes a million feelings in us all, and no matter how many times we view it on TV, seeing it live, on a safari, is breath-taking. And an African Safari is the best place to come face to face with everything nature has to offer.

Africa is a continent that boasts of more than
one popular national park or game reserve. Therefore, deciding where to
kick-start your maiden safari voyage can be a daunting task.

If you have set your heart on an African
safari, then there are some world-famous iconic parks to be found in South
Africa and Kenya, which would ensure your first safari is memorable enough to
have you hooked for more.

But hold on! Africa, generous as it is with
parks and reserves, is a country full of culture, splendour, history and beauty.
If you truly want to experience Africa for all it has to offer, we’ve put
together some places and parks you must visit through our holiday packages.
Ready to walk on the wild side?

South African Safari – Wildlife and beyond

South Africa with its rich natural and cultural
heritage, boasts of more than 20 national parks.

‘The jewel in its crown’ is the famous Kruger
National Park offering a blockbuster first-time African safari experience.
The Sebatana Private Reserve on the other hand, aims to provide a more
exclusive safari experience.

The dry months, which fall between April and
September, are the best time for game-viewing in these parks.

Kruger
National Park – Unique fusion of life form and archaeological heritage

The Kruger National Park, the largest game
reserve in South Africa, is practically a synonym for the word
“safari.” A few hours travel from the vibrant city of Johannesburg,
Kruger can be the perfect end to a holiday dedicated exploring the diversity of
South Africa.

The scenic beauty of this sprawling park,
flanked by the Lebombo Mountains and beautiful granite kopjes (hills), is
enthralling. Matching it is the excitement of sighting exotic wildlife
including the Big Five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. This
unique park also houses numerous historical and archaeological sites. Rock art
and ruins from as early as the Stone Age period co-exist amidst the vibrant
wildlife.

On a Kruger African Safari, you will be
hard-pressed to choose just one favourite picture from the thousands you will
snap.

Sebatana Private Reserve – Personalized safari experience

There are times when the chaos and stress of
city life begins to get to us. We just want to escape the madness of it all. In
times like these, the wild with its beauty, purity and calm is just what we
need to recharge and rejuvenate our senses.

Sebatana Private Reserve in South Africa will
fulfil that yearning for the wild. Merely, a stone’s throw away from
Johannesburg, the 5-star lodges on this reserve host a limited number of guests
and do not allow access to the general public. This means you have the
privilege of discovering Africa, away from the crowds.

The Reserve is home to one of the richest
populations of wildlife in South Africa, including the Big Five. The Christina’s
Wallow, a hide on the reserve, will give you a direct view of a watering hole frequented
by these wild animals. The magnificent landscape and pristine surroundings will
make sure you have a truly intimate experience with the exotic wildlife of
South Africa. At Sebatana, you’ll also have a chance to experience rich tribal
heritage of the area.

Kenya – Home of the
Safari

Located in East Africa, Kenya is
considered the birthplace of safari travel. The 54
national parks and game reserves scattered in various parts of the country makes
the popular moniker “home of the safari” well deserved. The iconic Masai Mara safari makes the
country a wildlife and eco-destination, which is second to none.

A Kenya Safari has a lot to offer for
every kind of traveller – whether it is your first safari, or your 50th.
You’ll never leave with the same experience or the same sights. The best time for a Kenya Safari pretty
much depends on when you can get away. Numerous parks in this country make
wildlife viewing a year-round event. If you want to experience
the spectacular and world-famous Wildebeest Migration that takes place annually
then the Masai Mara Safari is definitely for you. The Wildebeest Migration
usually reaches Masai Mara in July and remains until October when the herds
move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Therefore, your Masai Mara safari
needs to be planned accordingly.

Masai Mara – The Mecca of African Safaris

The gently rolling expanse of grassland with flat-topped
acacia trees in the horizon. The cacophonic sound of massive herds of zebras
and wildebeest trampling each other in a race for survival – this is the Great
Wildebeest Migration that thunders across Masai Mara. Incredible right? On your
Masai Mara safari, you will discover that reality is far more incredible
than any televised experience.

The “Mara” is not merely a National Park but
rather a National Reserve belonging to the Masai people. The name Masai Mara
was coined by the local people. ‘Mara’ means ‘spotted’ in Maa, the Masai
language. This land of the Masai people, besides its wildlife inhabitants, is
home to a dozen community conservancies, several group ranches and numerous
Maasai villages.

Tsavo National Park –
Just-around-the-corner from the beach.

If you are
longing for the serenity of nature, then Tsavo National Park is the place for
you. This park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Kenya. In the language
of the local Kamba tribe Tsavo means ‘slaughter.’

However,
any negativity rooted in its name is negated by the beauty of the magnificent
landscape, the natural Mzima springs, rocky peaks and extinct volcanic cones. Famous
for its red elephants, it is home to an exotic range of large mammals.

With
its proximity to the coastal town of Mombasa, it is an ideal destination for combining
the thrills of a safari with some relaxing beach time. The Amboseli National Park is also close to
Tsavo, giving you the chance to get a double dose of the safari experience.

Lake Naivasha – An exotic
stop-over on the Safari route

While on your Kenyan Safari, a
not-to-be-missed stop is Lake Naivasha, an exotic freshwater lake. A name
rooted in the local Masai language, Nai’posha, means “rough water.” (It
may be hard to believe but these serene waters often transform when storms
arise in the area, without any warning.)

The shores of this lake, flanked by
papyrus swamps, acacia woodlands, forests and unique geologic remnants from the
region’s volcanic past, lends Lake Naivasha an ethereal quality. A key drinking
hole for wildlife, it gives visitors a chance to watch these animals while they
cool-off from the summer heat.

Let Thomas Cook guide you through your Safari
Experience

An African Safari in either South Africa
or Kenya will give you an opportunity to experience incredible natural beauty,
soul-stirring cultural encounters and spectacular game viewing. What’s more, a
South African safari can be combined with exploring the other natural and
cultural landmarks that the country offers.

Thomas Cook with its expertise in travel has a wide range of Africa holiday packages, depending on the days you can spare and the experiences you seek.

South African Highlights with Kruger and Helicopter
Ride/ South African Delights with Kruger – 11 Nights/12 days

Are you looking for an experience that
encapsulates the spirit of South Africa? Then this package is designed for you.
You’ll land in Cape Town, but the journey will extend much further. Enjoy an
open safari in Sun City, a scenic cruise in Knysna followed by visits to
Cheetah Ranch and a Crocodile enclosure. You’ll get to interact with lion cubs
in Johannesburg, visit the Cape of Good hope in Cape Town, meet African
penguins on Boulders Beach and enjoy game drives through Kruger National Park.
And these are just some of the
highlights of this action-packed trip.

South African Safari with Cape Town 10 Nights/11 Days

Want a balanced trip of both safaris and
cities? Then this package is for you! It will prove to be a rich experience – exploring
the diversity of Cape Town and an
intimate safari experience at the exclusive Sebatana Private Reserve.

South African Safari 7Nights/8 Days

If you are seeking a safari break, off the
beaten track, in a private and luxurious environment, then this week-long
experience at the Sebatana Private Reserve has been especially designed by
Thomas Cook for you.

And there’s more…

Life can be busy, and you may never know when
you will come back this way. That’s why you need to make the right choice!
Everyone has a specific agenda when planning a trip, and so we’ve included two
types of packages – long and short – that illustrate what a trip to Africa will
look like.

Keep in mind that we have multiple African
holiday packages to choose from. Here’s just a taste:

If you are worried that the one week will not
be enough, let us put your mind at ease. Thomas Cook has you covered with a
number of week-long Kenya Safari options that will give you your big
safari experience.

This package takes you on an African
roller-coaster vacation. Experience the diversity of South Africa, the thrills
of a Kenyan Safari and the breath-taking natural beauty of the magnificent
Victoria Falls – all in the course of 2 weeks! (The memories, of course, will
last a lifetime.)

Kenyan Discovery- 6 Nights/7 Days

These Masai Mara packages are designed to give you a unique safari experience. You will be amazed at how many wild thrills you are going to enjoy over this 7-day break – including visits to Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, and Tsavo National Park. This package is a dizzying and delightful whirl of safaris for the wildlife enthusiasts!

Remember the best time for a Kenya Safari or a South African tour is just around the corner. Don’t settle for what you see on your favourite travel shows! Take a chance, book a holiday package with Thomas Cook and experience the wonder for yourself.